Silky Anobiid
Priobium sericeum
This record describes Priobium sericeum (species). Recorded family: Ptinidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Difficult to separate from the other 2 species
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Bostrichoidea
- Family
- Ptinidae (Death-watch and Spider Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Anobiinae
- Tribe
- Hadrobregmini
- Genus
- Priobium
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
In natural habitats, lives in dead branches of oak, hickory, cherry; indoors, infests flooring and furniture
Geographic Range
e. NA to AZ (NS-FL to MB-AZ) - Map ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) ; the only native sp. in the east
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Priobium sericeum (Say 1825)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Priobium sericeum. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Silky Anobiid (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Boris Büche; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Silky Anobiid
What is Silky Anobiid?
Silky Anobiid (Priobium sericeum) is a species in the family Ptinidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Silky Anobiid?
3.3–6.2 mm
How do you identify Silky Anobiid?
Difficult to separate from the other 2 species
Where is Silky Anobiid found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | In natural habitats, lives in dead branches of oak, hickory, cherry; indoors, infests flooring and furniture |
| Range | e. NA to AZ (NS-FL to MB-AZ) - Map ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) ; the only native sp. in the east |